Good Morning Lincoln Family,
I wanted to share this information with you in case you have not yet seen it. This applies to any student who has been identified as a close contact and is considered quarantined.
You are receiving this communication as we have added a convenient way for your student, currently in quarantine, to remain in school! Thanks to a special partnership with the Berrien RESA and the Berrien County Health Department, and following guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) the administrative central office of St. Joseph Public Schools will be offering daily rapid tests to our unvaccinated, symptom free students/staff who are in quarantine. Each morning M-F from 6:30 a.m to 8:00 a.m. rapid testing will be offered to our students (who bring their student ID) in quarantine. If the student is under 18, the consent form will need to be completed by a parent/guardian. Please arrive no later than 7:45 for testing.
If the test is negative for COVID-19, your student may report to school. This testing will need to take place each morning of the quarantine period in order to attend school.
Our office is located at 2580 S. Cleveland Avenue in St. Joseph. Please enter using the door to the left of the front entrance. Please review the following information from Berrien RESA before arriving for testing:
What Happens During the Test?
Similar to the athletic testing that was offered last spring, the test is a self-administered BinaxNOW Antigen Test. Testing will be performed by specifically trained individuals called Health Resource Advocate Testers. They will be wearing appropriate personal protection equipment and following all health and safety procedures as outlined by MDHHS. Test results will be provided 15 minutes after the test is administered.
The Advocate Testers will have an Antigen Testing Ticket that they will complete with the results of the antigen test. This is your “ticket” back into your district for the day. Quarantined students and staff will not be able to return to the school building unless they have a ticket indicating that an antigen test was administered and negative that specific day.
What Should I Bring with Me to the Testing Site?
**Please bring a student ID or other document confirming your affiliation with the school district.
Anyone receiving an antigen test will have to complete an Antigen Testing Consent Form. **Parents/Guardians will be required to complete the form on the initial day of the test for all minors.
Who Receives the Test Results?
The individual being tested will receive test results about 15 minutes after the test is administered. If the test is negative, the Advocate Tester will mark the negative result on the Antigen Testing Card for the student or staff member to take back to their district. The Antigen Testing Card should be turned into the school office or appropriate COVID-19 school contact person. The individual can resume school or work activities, however, should continue to monitor for symptoms. If the individual is participating in daily testing, they would repeat the process again the next business day.
All negative test results will be uploaded to a secure state-run database. If the result is positive, the individual will be asked to immediately isolate. The test result will be shared with the sending district’s COVID-19 contact person. This person would then alert the Berrien County Health Department and follow traditional positive case protocols already being followed by the district, including contact tracing. (Employees should contact their supervisors as well to alert them of their absence.)
When and Where is Testing Offered?
Testing sites are open Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. (unless otherwise posted). The last test of the morning will be administered at 7:45 a.m. to allow for test result development.
Berrien RESA Administrative Center
711 St. Joseph Avenue, Berrien Springs, (269) 471-7725
St. Joseph Public Schools Administrative Center
2580 S. Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, (269) 926-3100
InterCare Community Health Network - Benton Harbor Student Health Center
870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor, (269) 605-1277
Who Should I Contact if I Have Questions?
Please contact your student’s building principal. Staff should contact their Human Resource officer or supervisor for more information.
Please, if your student is displaying any symptoms, they should not come for testingl We are happy to offer a test-to-stay option on site as a way to keep our students in school!
Sincerely,
Kelly Gaideski, Assistant Superintendent
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